You may fight back against an attack you can't avoid, but hit only the person who is attacking, and stop when he stops
- Moderate value
- Evidence A
- Keeps you free
- Costs a lot
- Takes some hours
- Some willpower
In plain words
When someone is attacking you or another person and you act to stop it and injure him, you bear no criminal liability. If the person is committing violent assault, murder, robbery, rape or kidnapping, injuring or killing him is not counted as excessive either. But you may hit only the person who is attacking, and you stop when he stops. Even if in the end the case is found to be on your side, you may first be put under investigation and held for a few days.
Mentioned in
- Fit good locks on doors and windows, put a motion-sensor light outside the door, and really lock up when you go out: these are what prevent burglary, and an alarm alone shows no benefit
- Work out the bill before you hit someone: detention, paying money, a prison sentence
- Don't buy a baton, stun device, dagger or pepper spray for self-defense and carry it; leaving it in the car counts as carrying
Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 8, tip 11. This section describes legal rules, mostly mainland China’s. It is general information, not legal advice; for your own case, talk to a lawyer. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer